Cultivator.



PATENTED OCT. 20, 1903.

J. H. ELWARD.

GULTIVATOR. APPLmATIo'N FILED APR. 17. 1896.

N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED STATES Patented October 20, 1903 PATENT QFFICE.

CULTIVATOR.

SEEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,780, dated October 20, 1903.

Application filed April 17, 1896.

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatI, JOHN H. ELWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cultivators; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the let ters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisv specification.

My invention relates principally to combined walking and riding cultivators; and my improvements consist in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter particularly described and pointed out.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the framework of a cultivator embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the body of the machine. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail views.

In the embodiment of my invention illus: trated in the accompanying drawings 1 have shown a main frame, consisting of the side bars A, the tongue B, and the transverse yoke-shaped frame, comprising the cross top bar or member 0, the depending side parts 0, and the inwardly-turned spindles 0 The forward ends of the longitudinal side bars of the said main frame are inclined inward and connected to the tongue. The said main frame is supported and carried by wheels D, which are mounted on a rocking or vibratable axle or wheel-frame E, comprising the top cross bar 6, mounted in journal-bearings on the side bars A, the depending end bars or arms 6 terminating at their lower ends in the outwardly-turned spindles on which the Wheels D are mounted.

In bearings f, arranged on the main frame between the yoke cross-bar 0 thereof and the rocking wheel-frame or axle E, is journaled a rock-shaft F, the ends of which are bent to provide the arms f extending at right angles to the body of the shaft and terminating in the outwardly-turned portions f which extend parallel to the body of the said shaft. The Wheel-spindles e are connected with the end portions f of the locking rock-shaft F Serial No. 588,005. (No model.)

by means of rod-like braces G,.b v means of which any motion of the wheel-frame or axle E will be transmitted to said shaft F.

I have combined with the rocking wheelframe or axle means by which it can be held securely in either of several positions in order that the weight of the machine on the horses neck may be maintained the same at all times whether the operator is riding on the machine or walking.

As shown, a segment H is rigidly secured to one of the depending arms 6' of said frame, and an operating-lever K is fulcrumed at one side of such segment and provided with a suitable lock bolt ordog H for engaging with the notches h h 72 formed in the said segment, and with link H and thumb-latch K.

L designates a lock-rod, one end of which is connected with the outwardly-turned portion f at one end of the shaft F, while the other end is formed with an elongated loop or slot L. A laterally-projecting stud or pin 7c on the operating-lever projects into the said slot L and is adapted to fit snugly in a notch or offset formed in the said connecting-rod L near the forward end of and communicating with the slot L.

The plow-gangs, which may be of any preferred style, are suitably mountedon the inwardly-turned spindles c of the forward main-frame yoke in such manner as to vibrate freely vertically or horizontally, and with such beams are connected the lower ends of lifting chains or cables M. The upper end of each of these chains is connected to an arm n of a lever N, which is fulcrumed on the main frame. The other arm 177- of this lever is provided at its free end with a support or rest for the foot of the operator, by means of which he can readily vary the elevation of the gangs. A hand-lever O is fulcrumed on the same pivot or center as the lever N and is provided with a dog or latch adapted to engage with the teeth or notches formed in a segment 0'. By means of this hand-lever the gangs can be held in the desired position and adjusted to cut to any desired depth. The lever N is provided on one side with a laterally-projecting flange of, which prevents the front end of the said lever, to which the lifting-chain M is attaohed, from being depressed beyond the desired limit, but allows sufficient motion of the lever N to elevate the gang when desired.

To the forward ends of the gang-supports,

which are fitted on the inwardly-extending spindlesciareconnectedlifting-springsQ. As shown, the upper end of each of these springs is connected to a hook adjustably connected to a clamp q, adapted to be firmly secured to the portion 0 of the main-frame yoke, and its lower end is connected to one end of an angular link g, which in turn is connected to the forward gang-support below and in front of the axis thereof. This construction and arrangement of parts insu res an even and steady pressure on the chains M, supporting the beams, and causes the plows to run smoothly and at an even depth. When the rear ends of the beams are depressed below the normal level, the tendency of the springs Q is to draw the plows deeper into the ground, while when the rear ends of the beams are elevated or raised above the level the action of the springs is to lift up the rear ends of the beams. The springs Q, it will be noticed, are connected to the sleeves, which are fitted on the spindles c in the plane of the axis of said sleeves.

The drivers seat is mounted on supportingbars R, which rest on the top of the rocking axle E and have their forward ends extended through guides S, secured to the sides A of the main frame. As shown, the flanges s, by which the guides S are attached to the frame, project somewhat beyond the sides Aand form supports for the cranked portions f of the locking rock -shaft F when the parts are in the positions shown in full lines in the drawings or when the parts are arranged for use as a riding-cultivator.

t is a sleeve fitted on the lever K below the rod -L and connected to the thumb-latch 7c of said lever by link T.

When it is desired to convert the machine into a walking-cultivator, the seat'supports R are moved longitudinally through the guides S into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Balls or stop-blocks R are secured to the forward ends of the seat-support, which may be formed from a single piece bent to form the two bars R, if desired, to prevent such support from being moved 'rearwardly out ofthe guide-sleeves S.

When it is desired to use the machine as a walking-cultivator, the crank-axle must be rocked, so that the wheel-spindles 6 will be moved forward. This is accomplished by pressing thumb-latch which through links K and T simultaneously draws dog H out of notch h and causes sleeve to lift the slotted lock-bar L. away from stud 76, then rocking the freed lever K backward around its pivot Il -untilthe dog H engages in notch h, the lever then being in the position shown in dotted lines at 2, Fig. 2. Thereupon the operator pulls downward still farther on the lever K, rocking it now around the axis of the part e of the wheel-frame or crank-axle, and consequently the wheels and the arms 6 are rocked forward and the lever downward until the said parts are in the position indicated by the dotted lines at 3, Fig. 2. This movement of these parts causes (by pushing on braces G) the crank ends ff of the rockshaft F to also swing upward and forward into the positions shown in dotted lines at 3 in Fig. 2. At this time the crank-arms f bear forward and downward upon the cross parts of the main frame and lock the wheels against further forward swing, and the latter and their supporting-frame or the axle are held in the position required for a walkingcultivator. Having thus utilized the lever K for this purpose, the operator again presses thumb-latch 7c and releases the lever from the notch 72 in the segment H and swings it loosely upward around its pivot H (which by the previous action was carried to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2) until it, the lever, stands as shown by the dotted lines at 4, Fig. 2, at which time the dog H can engage with the notch 77. When the lever K is in the position shown by dotted lines at 3, its stud 7; is in the rear end of the loop L in bar L; but as it is swung loosely, as last described, up toward the dotted position at 4 the stud it; reaches the offset Z and the lock-rod L drops far enough to have the stud firmly seated in said offset. When the parts are in these po-- sitions, as shown by dotted lines 3, 3, and 4, they are all firmly locked. The rod L prevents any accidental backward movement of the wheel-arms in case the wheels should strike a severe obstruction sufficient to jolt the crank-arms f upward and backward, and said crank-armsf by bearing forward against the cross-bar c prevent any further forward movement of the wheel-arms. Now, on the contrary, when it is desired to return the parts from this position for walking to that for riding (shown in full lines, Fig. 2) it is done as follows: The operator presses thumblatch 70, (lever K being as shown in dotted lines at 4, Fig. 2,) and thereby releases dog H from notch h and simultaneously, through parts T t, lifts the locking-rod L away from engagement with stud 7c and then rocks the lever K down again to the position shown in dotted lines 3, and while doing so the stud 70 reaches the rear end of the slot L, and as the operator continues the movement of lever K said pin moves rod L longitudinally and pulls the crank-armsf upward and backward until they pass the vertical line of their axis, thereby unlocking the wheelframe. Then the leverK has reached the position shown in dotted lines 3, the dog H engages with the notch h and the lever becomes rigid with the segment and with the arms e of the wheel-frame, so that the operator by lifting up on the lever can rock the wheels back on the axis of part e, and he so rocks them until the lever K reaches the position shown in dotted lines at 2 and the other parts reach the positions shown in full lines.

Then, finally, he again presses thumb-latch 70 to release the lever from notch h and moves the lever upward slightly to the point where the dog engages the notch 71., the lever then being in the position shown in full lines. This last movement brings the stud it again into line with the offset L, which permits the lock-rod I to drop and by engaging with said stud provide a stop for preventing the crank-arms f from rising. In short, there is provided a rigid lock to prevent the parts from being displaced from their newly-adjusted positions for riding.

It will be seen that Z provide a wheel adjusting and locking mechanism for wheels having a frame or carrier adjustable longitudinally of the main frame, comprising braces for the wheel-frame movable therewith, a lever for adjusting the wheel-frame, and a lock supplemental to the said parts adapted to rigidly hold them in either of two positions. It will also be seen that in the construction selected for illustration the lever is supported movably directly upon the adjustable wheel-frame and can be adjusted either with the latter or independently of it and that the lock is interposed directly between the lever and the braces for the wheelframe; but in numerous respects there can be modification without departing from my invention.

In modifying the mechanism within the scope of the present invention proper proportions of the parts should be secured. Thus the part L may be so arranged as to exert its thrusting and pulling action when looking the other parts in position or when starting them from one position to the other, in which case the length of the slot or looped part Lwill have the proper dimensions to correspond to the normal positions of the crank ends f of the rock-shaft B. By preference these crank ends in either position of the wheels are in or nearly in the line from the wheel-axis to the axis of shaft F. The nearer they are to that line the greater will be theholding action of the braces G on the wheels. If this hold is made quite strong, it can be overcome by having the slot or loop at L of such length thatthe lever can thrust or pull upon the rod L in starting the crank ends f from their holding positions.

What I claim is- 1. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the vibrating wheelframe, the seat supported on the main frame, the leverindependent of the seat-support for vibrating the wheelframe,the swinging brace for the wheel-frame, and the lock adapted to positively hold the wheel-frame and said brace in either of two positions independently of the main frame and seat-support, substantially as set forth.

2. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the vibrating wheel frame, the vibrating brace for the wheelframe,the seat-frame, the lever su lemental to the seat-frame for moving the wheel-frame and connected thereto independently of the brace, and the lock supplemental to the lever and adapted to lock the braeeand the vibratseat-frame for swinging the wheel-frame, and

the lock independent of the brace interposed between the rock-shaft and the seat-frame for lockin g the brace and the wheel-frame in both of two positions.

4. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the vibrating wheel frame, the vibrating brace therefor, and the vibrating lever, supplemental to said brace,

movable independently of the wheel-frame and also movable therewith, relatively to the main frame, substantially as set forth.

5. In a cultivator having adjustable wheels, the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the wheel-frame adjustable longitudinally of the main frame,

the brace-links connected with the wheelframe, the vibrating supports for said links,

the lever mounted on the wheel-frame, and

the detachable lock between the lever and the vibrating support for the brace-links, substantially as set forth.

6. In a cultivator having adjustable wheels,

the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the wheel-frame adjustable longitudinally of the main frame, the movable braces between the wheel-frame and the main frame, and the lever supplemental thereto and mounted upon the wheelframe and movable in relation thereto, sub stantially as set forth.

7. In a cultivator having adjustable wheels, the combination of the main frame, the plowgangs hinged thereto, the wheel-frame adjustable longitudinally of the main frame, the brace device between the wheel-frame, and the main frame, the vibrating lever, a lock interposed between the lever and said brace device, and meanscarried by the lever for releasing the lock, substantiallyas set forth.

. 8. In a cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plow-gangs supported from said frame, the swinging axle, the wheels mounted on said axle, the lever for moving the axle, a rock-shaft journaled on the main frame, at one side of the axle, and a rod connected at one end to said shaft and adapted to be locked at its other end to the operating-lever, substantially as set forth.

9. In a cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plow-gangs supported from said frame, the swinging axle, the wheels on the axle, the operating-lever for moving the axle forward and back, a rock-shaft journaled on the main frame and permanently connected with the axle, and a lock-rod having one end secured to said rock-shaft and its other end slotted to receive a pin or stud on the operating-lever, substantially as set forth.

10. In a cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plow-gangs supported from lever to disengage it from said stud or pin,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a cultivator, the combination with the main frame, the plow-gangs supported from such frame, the swinging axle carrying the wheels, and means for rocking said axle, of a seat-support resting on the axle, and guides secured to the main frame and permitting free longitudinal movement of the bars of the seat-support, substantially as set forth.

12. In a cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plow-gangs supported from such frame, the swinging axle, the wheels, an operating-lever for moving the axle and wheels, a rock-shaft journaled on the main frame and having cranks, f, at its ends, links connecting said cranks with the Wheel-spindles, a lock-rod connected to one of said cranks and adapted to be engaged with the operating-lever, and plates secured to the main frame and adapted to support the cranks, f when the wheels and axle are in their rearward position, substantially as set forth.

13. In a cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the plow-gang, the hinged coupling connecting the plow-gang with the main frame, the spring having its upper end fixed in a vertical ,plane behind the axis, a loop connected to the lower end of the spring and extending downward behind said axis and forward under the same, to a point in front of the vertical line of the same, substantially as set forth.

14. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the swinging axle, the lever for adjusting the axle, pivotally supported by the axle, the link connected to the axle movable bodily therewith, the pitman or thrusting and pulling rod connected to the link and also connected to the lever, substantially as set forth.

15. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the swinging axle, the seat-frame, the lever, independent of the seat-frame, the brace-link connected to the axle and the thrusting or pulling rod, L, connected to the link and to the lever, and means for detachably fastening the rod, L, to the lever, substantially as set forth.

16. In a walking and riding cultivator, the combination of the main frame, the swinging axle, the drivers seat, the seat-frame supported on the main frame, the lever for adjusti'ng the axle, adapted to move bodily forward and backward around its pivot, the brace-link connected to the axle, and means interposed between the brace-link and the lever for transmitting movement from the lever to the axle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. ELWARD.

Witnesses:

L. E. HALE, G. T. GILLIAM. 

